A PETITION is being launched to gather renewed support for the long-hoped-for northern relief road in Wellington.

It follows the publication last week of the Government’s Regional Spatial Strategy – the blueprint for development in the South-West until 2026.

The Government wants 18,000 new homes in Taunton with a further 3,800 over the rest of the district including Wellington, which will inevitably add to the town’s traffic problems.

Cllr Andrew Govier said: “The major problem is HGVs going to the industrial estate. The factories are obviously very important to the town but the infrastructure isn’t good enough to support it and the problems are only going to get worse.

“There are already extra homes being built on the Tonedale Mill site as well as plans for the extreme northern end.”

The petition is being organised by Cllr Govier, his wife and fellow councillor Jackie Govier and Cllr Dave Mitton. Cllr Govier added: “A stall is to be set up in Wellington town centre later this month and people have already approached me saying they would be happy to collect signatures in the north part of the town.

“We need to work up the best case we can so a road can be included in the Local Development Framework being worked on by Taunton Deane Council.”

Councillors have campaigned since the 1980s for a relief road to be built.